17% Candidates Contesting in Phase-1 Are Accused in Criminal Cases

The report also reveals that 32% (401) candidates for Phase-1 of polling have assets worth more that Rs 1 crore.

A total of 17 percent (213 of 1,266) of the candidates contesting in phase one of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections have criminal cases against them, revealed a report by The National Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The report was submitted after analysing the self-sworn affidavits of 1,266 out of 1,279 candidates for Phase 1. The 13 candidates were left out of the study because they failed to submit properly scanned and complete affidavits.

Lok Sabha elections will kick off on 11 April and polling will be held over seven phases till 19 May, followed by counting on 23 May. Here’s the phase-wise election schedule for all states: